By Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

Much like the woman from which she took the UFC Bantamweight Championship, Miesha Tate wasn’t interested in waiting for Ronda Rousey to return before defending that belt, which is why she’s facing Amanda Nunes at UFC 200. However, Rousey remains on her mind, and Tate said this week she’s expecting that fight to come next after she gets past Nunes.

“I think everything happens for a reason,” Tate said at the UFC 200 press conference in New York (via MMAFighting.com). “I told everybody I was going to beat Holly and I did, and I’m going to beat Amanda on the 9th, and I’m going to go on, and hopefully I’m going to see Ronda in Madison Square Garden. That’s going to be great.”

Should that fight come together at Madison Square Garden, it will be their first meeting in nearly three years, and third fight altogether. Rousey won both of the previous meetings, submitting Tate by armbar each time.

The UFC’s New York City debut will serve as UFC 205, and will take place on Nov. 12 from MSG. The long-awaited NYC debut comes after legalization of the sport was finally signed into law earlier this month.

Penick’s Analysis: That’s obviously the plan, though it’s probably the plan for Rousey to fight on that card regardless of whether or not it’s Tate holding the belt. If Nunes wins, she’s probably getting Rousey; if it’s Tate, there’s more of a story to it, but the story is going to be more about Rousey’s return than it will be whomever she’s facing.

[Photo (c) Jayne Kamin-Oncea via USA Today Sports]

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